BCM Family NewsLink, Nov. 30, 2012

Please submit items for the weekly BCM Family Newslink to Dana Benson.

Awards and Recognitions

News from the Center for Comparative Medicine

Dr. Cindy Buckmaster, director of the Center for Comparative Medicine at BCM, has been elected chair of the board of directors for Americans for Medical Progress. AMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to public outreach that builds understanding and appreciation for necessary and humane animal research. The organization provides vital news, information and analysis to biomedical research stakeholders to ensure they have the resources they need to deflect campaigns that threaten the future of medical progress.

Yudofsky honored by UC-Davis

Dr. Stuart Yudofsky, chair of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at BCM, received the Joe P. Tupin Award and Visiting Professorship from the University of California-Davis on Nov. 9 in Sacramento. He delivered the annual Tupin lecture on "Neuropsychiatry and the Future of Psychiatry" and also participated in several clinical teaching rounds and met individually with many UC-Davis faculty.

Simko honored by histiocyte organization

Dr. Stephen Simko, instructor in pediatrics – hematology/oncology, was awarded the Nesbit Prize in Clinical Science from the Histiocytosis Association, in conjunction with the Histiocyte Society. He received the award at the Histiocyte Society's annual meeting in October. The prize recognizes physicians or scientists who are conducting clinical research related to the therapy, biology or pathogenesis of one of the histiocytic disorders. Nesbit has been a leader in the development of clinical research for the treatment of leukemia and has a special interest in histiocytosis, bone tumors and the late complications of cancer survivors.

Events

Allied Health Commencement

Allied Health Commencement will be held Saturday, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Rd. Congratulations to all the allied health graduates!

BCM Appreciation Day in Galveston

Looking for a fun family event? Head down to the Pleasure Pier, 2501 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston, for BCM Appreciation Day, Dec. 9 from noon to 7 p.m. All-day ride passes will be available for $18.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids – a nice discount from the regular prices of $26.99 and $19.99. Simply show your BCM ID to get the discounted ride pass. Visit the Pleasure Pier website to see all the rides and attractions available.

College News

NetLearning Online now available

NetLearning, the online learning management system available to all BCM personnel, has been upgraded to a new version of the software. All online training is now available, including EPIC, HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens, etc. To help users learn more about the new version, the upgrade team has placed a brief "Using MyNetLearning" course in your myCourses/Classes (To Do) section for you to complete. Login to NetLearning to view the course.

Clinical research volunteer opportunity

Researchers at the BCM Vaccine Research Center are looking for volunteers to participate in a study evaluating a pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia shot). To participate, you must be 55 to 64 years old, in stable health and able to make three study visits and answer phone calls. Call 713-798-4912 to make an appointment or for more information. Time and travel will be compensated.

Calling all rugby players!

The Harris County Houston Sports Authority is sponsoring the 2013 International Women's Rugby Sevens World Series Feb. 1-2 at BBVA Compass Stadium and is seeking volunteers for the event. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. For more information and to sign up go to the event website.

Faculty in the News

A story about soy and hot flashes in Reuters and numerous other news outlets, including the Chicago Tribune, quoted Dr. William Wong of the Children's Nutrition Research Center. Read this and other news stories featuring our faculty in this week's Faculty in the News.